Southern First Bancshares (NASDAQ:SFST) Upgraded at StockNews.com

Southern First Bancshares (NASDAQ:SFST) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report issued on Friday.

Southern First Bancshares Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of Southern First Bancshares stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $26.45. 70,958 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 21,686. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.69 and a 200-day moving average of $31.71. Southern First Bancshares has a 12 month low of $20.75 and a 12 month high of $39.36. The company has a market cap of $215.83 million, a PE ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.09.

Insider Transactions at Southern First Bancshares

In other news, CEO R Arthur Seaver, Jr. sold 996 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.25, for a total value of $31,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 83,470 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,608,437.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO R Arthur Seaver, Jr. sold 996 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.25, for a total transaction of $31,125.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 83,470 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,608,437.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO R Arthur Seaver, Jr. sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.13, for a total transaction of $77,825.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 90,970 shares in the company, valued at $2,831,896.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,113 shares of company stock valued at $126,277. Company insiders own 7.62% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern First Bancshares

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Strs Ohio grew its holdings in shares of Southern First Bancshares by 4.9% during the third quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 19,100 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $514,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new stake in shares of Southern First Bancshares during the third quarter valued at $809,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in Southern First Bancshares by 212.0% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 32,479 shares of the bank’s stock worth $875,000 after buying an additional 22,070 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its position in Southern First Bancshares by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 19,140 shares of the bank’s stock worth $516,000 after buying an additional 496 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ELCO Management Co. LLC purchased a new position in Southern First Bancshares in the 3rd quarter worth about $207,000. Institutional investors own 75.00% of the company’s stock.

Southern First Bancshares Company Profile

Southern First Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Southern First Bank that provides commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans to the general public in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The company accepts various deposit products that include checking accounts, commercial checking accounts, and savings accounts, as well as other time deposits, including daily money market accounts and long-term certificates of deposit.